Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Absolute Zero

It was Worldwide pinhole photography day on saturday. I'm a big fan of low tech cameras and it doesn't come much lower tech than something which is literally a box with a hole in it. Diehard pinholers (like the hugely inventive Justin Quinnell who makes them small enough to go in his mouth) make the cameras themselves, but I've got a Zero 2000, a teak and brass beauty made by Hong Kong craftsman Zernike Au. It's such a gorgeous object that it's a work of art in itself. Modern digital cameras more or less guarantee perfect results but a pinhole forces you to slow down and think. The Zero 2000 doesn't have a viewfinder and exposures are calculated by guesswork or handheld meter (in my case an ancient Weston Master). It's very refreshing to use a pinhole after blasting away all day with a DSLR. You never know if you'll have anything worth printing, but that's part of the fun.

Devon

(I missed pinhole day - I was beer tasting with me brother - so here's a Zero 2000 image from a trip to Instow a couple of weeks back)

4 comments:

Affer said...

I watched Justin Quinell on The One Show (24 April)- what fantastic photos he produced! And I really like that Zero 2000 and your photo. I remember my chum Toby Savage getting his kids into 'pinholes' some years back....such fun. I think you've now reminded me of something else I promised to have a go at!!

TIW said...

Thanks Affer - it's a very satisfying way to take photos, so yes - have a go!

Justin Quinell is a genius - just when you think there's nothing new photographically, he goes to the dentist with a camera in his gob.

Alistair Reece said...

Great picture that! There is an antique camera shop here in Prague with all manner of stuff available, might have to have a look and see what I can pick up.

TIW said...

Cheers Velky Al - if you find a cheap LOMO Kompact LC-A they go for ££££££ on ebay!